SCENE--_BUTLER'S Chamber._ _BUTLER, and MAJOR GERALDIN._ _Butler._ Find me twelve strong dragoons, arm them with pikes, For there must be no firing---- Conceal them somewhere near the banquet-room, And soon as the dessert is served up, rush all in And cry--Who is loyal to the Emperor? 5 I will overturn the table--while you attack Illo and Tertsky, and dispatch them both. The castle-palace is well barred and guarded, That no intelligence of this proceeding May make its way to the Duke.--Go instantly; 10 Have you yet sent for Captain Devereux And the Macdonald?---- _Geraldin._ They'll be here anon. [_Exit GERALDIN._ _Butler._ Here's no room for delay. The citizens Declare for him, a dizzy drunken spirit Possesses the whole town. They see in the Duke 15 A Prince of peace, a founder of new ages And golden times. Arms too have been given out By the town-council, and a hundred citizens Have volunteered themselves to stand on guard. Dispatch then be the word. For enemies 20 Threaten us from without and from within. SCENE II _BUTLER, CAPTAIN DEVEREUX, and MACDONALD._ _Macdonald._ Here we are, General. _Devereux._ What's to be the watchword? _Butler._ Long live the Emperor! _Both (recoiling)._ How? _Butler._ Live the House of Austria! _Devereux._ Have we not sworn fidelity to Friedland? _Macdonald._ Have we not marched to this place to protect him? _Butler._ Protect a traitor, and his country's enemy! 5 _Devereux._ Why, yes! in his name you administered Our oath. _Macdonald._ And followed him yourself to Egra. _Butler._ I did it the more surely to destroy him. _Devereux._ So then! _Macdonald._ An altered case! _Butler (to Devereux)._ Thou wretched man! So easily leav'st thou thy oath and colours? 10 _Devereux._ The devil!--I but followed your example, If you could prove a villain, why not we? _Macdonald._ We've nought to do with thinking--that's your business. You are our General, and give out the orders; We follow you, though the track lead to hell. 15 _Butler._ Good then! we know each other. _Macdonald._ I should hope so. _Devereux._ Soldiers of fortune are we--who bids most, He has us. _Macdonald._ 'Tis e'en so! _Butler._ Well, for the present Ye must remain honest and faithful soldiers. _Devereux._ We wish no other. _Butler._ Ay, and make your fortunes. 20 _Macdonald._ That is still better. _Butler._ Listen! _Both._ We attend.